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Scientists have found microbes frozen deep in the Antarctic ice sheets, in conditions very similar to the red planet's surface. Could life exist on Mars, in suspended animation?Key facts
- In 2001, a frozen ocean was discovered beneath the surface of Mars.
- Russian scientists and NASA have studied ice core samples from the Antarctic - the closest place on Earth to conditions on Mars.
- Microbes frozen in the Antarctic permafrost for millions of years came back to life when warmed in a lab.
- Scientists speculate that Mars' molten core may be hot enough to melt the ice and produce liquid lakes.
Transcript
Antarctica – the coldest place on planet Earth.
Temperatures here have reached -89 degrees centigrade.
Very little life can thrive... and it's about the closest you can get to conditions on Mars.
In 2001, Mars Odyssey found a huge frozen ocean on the red planet, which alerted scientists to the chance of life ...
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